THE North Coast 500, dubbed Scotland’s Route 66, is under the spotlight as locals express frustration over the influx of tourists along the rural route.
While the scenic road trip brings economic benefits to the Highland region, residents are frequently irked by the trail of rubbish and damage to the roads caused by the surge in camper vans and mobile homes.
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But tourists claim to respect the environment and the beauty of the route.
As the debate rages on, it seems there’s no easy resolution to the ‘great escape’ conundrum.
Watch above after our Scottish Sun video reporter David Donaldson took to the road to uncover the truth about the tensions along the famous- but contested – route.
After an adventurous journey along the North Coast 500 route, our reporter has uncovered a tale of two halves.
While the scenic beauty of the Highlands is undeniably mesmerising, the influx of tourists has left locals seeing red, and not just due to the autumn foliage.
From Inverness to Thurso, the journey is peppered with stunning views, but also, unfortunately, with rubbish and waste from visiting camper vans.
The locals’ frustration is palpable, with the Highland hospitality being tested by some tourists’ disregard for the environment.
Yet, it’s not all doom and gloom.
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We found that many tourists are mindful of their surroundings and seek to leave no trace of their visit.
A French tourist, for example, diligently collected his waste and expressed a desire to leave the site as she found it.
Parked up at a car park – not a campsite – she said: “I take all the waste and I keep my plastic and glass when there is.
“There is only one bin here so I take it with me.”
However, the issue of illegal waste disposal is still rampant.
Campsite owners report instances of camper vans attempting to offload their waste without payment, only to be deterred by surveillance cameras.
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One local business owner told the Scottish Sun: “There are campsites and there are people that will take waste for a charge, even if they are not staying in the campsite.
“But it is just getting that message out.”
The road conditions are another bone of contention.
“We just weren’t prepared for the volume.”
NC500 resident
The increased traffic has left the roads riddled with potholes, creating a challenging terrain for the uninitiated camper van drivers.
This, coupled with the reckless driving of some tourists, has led to safety concerns among the locals.
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A local said: “We just weren’t prepared for the volume.
“The problem some people have, and I can see their point, a lot of people hire these camper vans. They can’t drive them.”
Despite these issues, the North Coast 500 route continues to be a major economic driver for the region.
Business owners in Thurso and Caithness have seen an extended tourism season and a rise in entrepreneurial ventures, thanks to the route’s popularity.
Yet, they also acknowledge the need for better waste disposal facilities and stricter policing of illegal parking and littering.
‘Beggars belief’ cries NC500 campsite boss as she blasts controversial new £40 motorhome pass
A NORTH Coast 500 campsite boss has blasted a controversial new motorhome scheme which gives tourists access to a number of car parks on the popular route for just £40 a week.
The new measure, which is being brought in by Highland Council, is set to have a huge impact for those on and travelling the route.
It gives visitors in motorhomes access to several car parks on the NC500 for £40 a week.
But it is resulting in car parks being overrun with campervans and caravans.
And a whole host of campsites are against the move as it’s impacting on their business.
Lynn Redfern, who is the owner of Dornoch Campsite, told the Scottish Sun: “We’re actually not very happy.
“Basically, we feel that we are now competing against the Highland Council.
“Around 70 per cent of our business is people doing the North Coast 500, they stay one night and they move on.
“Now, the council have come up with this scheme, which actually allows them to bypass campsites and encourages them to spend their North Coast 500 trip in their car parks instead of in our caravan parks.
“A lot of campsites are telling us that already their numbers are dropping.”
The divide is clear – while the North Coast 500 route brings a wealth of opportunities, it also brings challenges, especially in terms of preserving the pristine beauty of the Highlands.
The answer, it seems, lies in finding a balance between promoting tourism and ensuring responsible travel.
As our reporter concluded his journey, he found that many tourists, like a couple from Cardiff, were keen to respect the environment and the local communities.
They used a mix of paid campsites and wild camping spots, always ensuring they left no trace of their stay.
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They said: “We have always fancied having a camper van when we were still single.
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“Then we got together and I had two months off work and just thought, let’s buy a camper van.”
“I take all the waste and I keep my plastic and glass when there is.”
French tourist
The North Coast 500 is undoubtedly a jewel in Scotland’s crown, but as our reporter found out, it’s a jewel that needs careful handling to ensure it continues to shine for generations to come.
